RENO, Nev. (AP) J.J. Avila scored 27 points and Colorado State took over sole possession of third place in the Mountain West Conference with a 78-62 win over Nevada Wednesday night.

The Rams (25-5, 12-5) were helped by Wyoming's 76-53 win over Utah State, knocking the Aggies out of a tie for third and into a tie with the Cowboys for fourth. Colorado State closes out the regular season at Utah State Saturday.

Colorado State led by 11 at intermission and sprinted to the finish. The Rams led by 27 points after Joe De Ciman converted a three-point play with 7:35 left for a 72-45 advantage.

Avila was 11 of 16 from the field with a 3-pointer on his only attempt from beyond the arc. Daniel Bejarano and John Gillon each scored 10 points for the Rams, who shot 49.2 percent from the field (29 of 59).